Govt to have conclusive opinion on LoP 'very soon'

The Government will very soon have a conclusive opinion on the issue of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha as a member of the selection committees that make appointments in various statutory bodies, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today.

"We had this problem (requirement of LoP). We sought the opinion of the secretary of the Lok Sabha as to what would be the ideal way to proceed. I think very soon we will have conclusive opinion about it. I don't need to speculate," he told reporters during a press conference without indicating whether or not LoP would be a member of selection committees.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had already rejected Congress' demand for LoP status as its nominee.

Congress with 44 seats in the Lok Sabha has emerged as the second largest party after the BJP with 282 seats, but fell short by 11 to stake claim for the LoP, for which a strength of 55 is required.

Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, said the Government will very soon appoint new chief of Central Information Commission (CIC) and Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC).

"As far as the appointment of the CVC is concerned, CVC is still there. He is to retire at the end of September. We will take a call when that happens. The appointment of CIC and other Commissioners is in process. It will happen very soon," he said.

The post of Chief Information Commissioner has been lying vacant for over a fortnight. Chief Information Commissioner Rajiv Mathur had relinquished his charge on August 22.